Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Speech Essential Skill Test-out Procedure
What is COMM 170: Public Speaking?
Speech is an essential skill required of all Truman students. Most students satisfy the requirement by completing COMM 170 Public Speaking.
Do I have to take COMM 170?
Some students with extensive public speaking backgrounds in high school, however, take a higher level speech class or waive the requirement completely through a test-out procedure. If you’ve taken a speech class, participated in forensics or debate, or have experience with public speaking we suggest you try the test-out procedure. The test-out procedure consists of two parts: a written online communication exam and delivering a persuasive speech. Students who score high enough on the exam are invited to give a speech when they arrive on campus in the fall. The online exam, consists of 50 multiple choice questions that test your skill of public speaking in terms of theory and practice.
Can I prepare for the exam?
Yes. You may take the online multiple choice practice exam anytime by clicking here. The practice exam keeps a running score of your correct and incorrect answers, so you can review the necessary materials for the scored exam.
What does my exam score mean to me?
· If you score below a 60%, you will have the opportunity to increase your knowledge of and practice in public speaking by taking COMM 170.
· If you score between 60%-70%, we encourage you to take a higher level speech class. You can choose from:
COMM 270 (3 hours) Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 272 (1 hour) Speech Communication Activities
COMM 273 (3 hours) Oral Interpretation
COMM 274 (1 hour) Parliamentary Procedure
COMM 276 (3 hours) Oral Advocacy and Debate
COMM 381 (3 hours) Business and Professional Communication
(Note: Business Administration, Accounting, and Communication Disorder majors need to complete a 3 hour speech class.)
· If you score above 70% you are eligible to completely test out of the Speech Essential Skill requirement by writing and delivering one persuasive speech after you arrive on campus in the fall.
How does the persuasive speech process work?
Once you’ve arrived on camus, you’ll have an opportunity to deliver a prepared speech to the Communication Basic Course Coordinator and communication faculty.
What does the speech entail?
You will be expected to:
- Choose a persuasive speech topic appropriate for a college classroom.
- Include five citations in your speech from current outside sources (magazines, newspapers, books, etc). Only two of your sources may be from Internet websites.
- Use a visual aid in your presentation (poster board, overheads, etc). An overhead projector and TV/VCR will be provided for the candidate’s use. The candidate is responsible for seeing that visual aids are appropriate and professional.
- Bring two copies of a full-sentence outline of your speech including a bibliography and thesis. The outline should be typed and should follow an accepted outline format. The bibliography should conform to an accepted citation format (i.e. APA or MLA).
- Deliver your speech to the Communication Basic Course Coordinator using brief notes or index cards. The speech may not be read.
- Be prepared to answer questions regarding the content of the speech and the choices you made for the presentation. You should also be prepared to give specific information regarding the sources used in researching the speech topic.
What are the procedures for giving the persuasive speech?
-
After you arrive on campus, sign up for the speech! Sign up for a time on the schedule posted on the Communication Basic Course Coordinator’s office door. You are required to deliver the speech during your first year. Examination periods for the oral exam will be scheduled at 20-minute intervals. Please report to the examination room 5-10 minutes before your specified time
-
Talk to the Communication Basic Course Coordinator, James Cianciola, Ph.D., who will help you present an extemporaneous persuasive speech of 7-9 minutes in length.
-
Read up on Public Speaking skills from textbooks and videos used in the COMM 170 course. They contain sample speeches and outlines which can help you ace your speech. They are on reserve in the library under the name Cianciola, COMM 170.
How will my speech be evaluated?
· You will be evaluated using the standard evaluation form. (You will see this in advance during your meeting with James Cianciola, Ph.D.).
· If your speech is a success, you will receive a waiver of the speech essential skill.
· If there are still areas in which you need to improve your public speaking skills, you still qualify to substitute any of the COMM courses listed above for COMM 170.
How will I be notified about the results?
You will receive the results via local mail within one week of taking the exam. Results will not be given over the telephone. The Communication Basic Course Coordinator will inform the Registrar’s office of the names of those who have waived the speech essential skill.
Do you have other questions?
If you have questions about this process or the speech itself, please contact:
James Cianciola, Ph.D.
Phone: 660.785.6043
Email: jciancio@truman.edu